Projects

Richard Kyambadde, Friendly Water for the World's Uganda Representative, shared project photos of bio-sand water filter construction in Mityana. Two schools for the deaf recieved filters , one is St. Mary's school for the deaf (1 Filter ) right in Mityana town  and the other is  New Hope (2 filters ) located 28 km from Mityana town

The children were so happy to get the filters and I liked the way they treasure it, called it a couple of names " fridge, purifier, anti-typhoid" and so on.

The others are families located about 28 kilometres from Mityana . A total of 15 filters .

I am pleased to share this with you because its indeed amazing and fundamental 1

I visited St. Mary`s school for the deaf, I was welcomed in great joy and happiness, I read all this on their faces .

I had to drink with them on a table , the BSF water, I had the Headteacher by my side to interpret.

One of the strategies the Deaf have taken to maintain the Filter, They have come up with a committee and in a picture is a little boy who is the chairman of the committee. 

I was offered a gift by the deaf!!!!......all pleasures to Friendly Water

Richard Kyambadde, Friendly Water for the World Uganda Representative

P. o Box 459 Mityana (U)

Tel:     +256758457228

Mob:   +256772457228

Skype: richkyamba

Friendly Water For the World Country Representative (U) www.friendlywater.net

Co-ordinator Brethren Care Uganda  http://www.facebook.com/BrethrenCareUganda

Muuangnao Resource Centre is the heart of a new approach to working with small community based organizations.  This is a network of 15 such groups.  Their interest range from sellers of vegetables to sewing and on to computer education.

Twenty trainees participated in learning hygiene and sanitation. There is time for lecture, then apply the new knowledge in solving the problems common their lives. Then the real work begins, teaching what is required to make good concrete and prepare the filtering sand.

Bad water conditions are common most people are not surprised to see water this what you see in this community well.  Our job is to teach the users how they can have crystal clear water, free of all the things that people sick.

This is election time.  I was too exciting to ignore, lots of music, and of course a short speach by the candidate.

Back to work. We have several complete filters ready to be delivered to families in area impacted by HIV/Aids.  These will serve families well into the next generation at no cost to operate. The rewards of clean water are priceless.

Class time teaching decision making of hygiene and sanitation. Members share to gain better understanding. This is Muuangano Resource Center, 15 self-help groups have joined to be a force for better health. They will help neighbors with sanitation, hygiene, and clean water by using biosand water filters. (Health and sanitation project in Muuangano, Kenya. Started by Suzanne Livingston. )

Levans Otieno Ouma Report: It is our Pleasure to write to you about the great project you began in our group (Hera Kajulu Self Help Group) based in Mamboleo Kisumu Kenya. I may want to say that the trainings we got from Jafred Muhatia and Erick .L.Ligodi concerning the construction of the Biosand water filters was actually good.

The training that followed was concerning water and sanitation with Suzan and Dell, this too was wonderful at the same time the training about installation of biosand water filters was also marvelous because we could understand how the biosand water filters works.

The first training was got on 29/09/2012, the training took two days. We were visited by Dell and Suzanne on 7/1/2013 concerning the project and the 14th -18th January 2013, Dell and Suzanne trained the group on hygiene, Sanitization and Biosand water filters (the magic behind it).

After the training concerning all these, the group was to start the project, but due to inadequate funds, Dell supported the group with sand, cement, tools and not forgetting the two moulds that were handed over by Erick in the month of December 2012.

The group began the work of construction in the month of February. So far, six BioSand Water Filters have been constructed, one filter has been installed. The group is steel working towards on how the look of the filters can be improved. For the past few weeks ago, the community members have been visiting the resource centre to see and finding out more about the water filters.

The group faced few challenges with doing the construction at first, where they could not get the result at first, but these challenges has been faced off now. The workshop has now been a challenge on our side since the room may not be used as a workshop .The future plans for the group is to expand this project and make it to be a full time income generating activity and to improve the standard of living of the community members, since people will be having a way of having safe drinking water. This will also help the community members to handle issues dealing with water born diseases.

Marketing of the product still has been challenges therefore we plan if the support will be given during the exhibitions to enable us sell the idea to the Kisumu and its environs.

Testing water to know the water purity also need to be worked on.

Thanks.

Report compiled by:-

MR.LEVANS OTIENO OUMA Tel:-0726974223 Email-herakajulu@yahoo.com

Here are some photos of the Mutaho Community Sanitation on the bicycles Friendly Water for the World bought for them. They use them to get from village to village, teaching hygiene and sanitation, helping to site latrines, and checking on BioSand Water Filters already installed. We are also helping them with a small office, as their current one consists of an old church pew and a broken chair as a desk.

Mutaho Outreach Team Progress Report October 2013

The month of October was a rather busy one for the outreach team and the cooperative. Sand and gravel was washed, filters were collected and installed, home visits were carried out, testimonies were documented and problems and comments recorded. In addition to all this, Pie, Louis and Céline held an educational talk for school children and provided teachings to a women’s group. Although the team did encounter a couple of challenges, it was generally pleased with its undertakings and the reception they received in Mutaho and further afield. 

Work completed and observations

Throughout October, the outreach team collected five testimonies and made arrangements for the collection of the 16 filters, built over the previous month. They proceeded to also install said filters too.  Out of the sixteen, 13 were supplied to households listed on the sponsorship program, to pay half the standard price of a filter (35,000 BIF). The remaining filters were replacements for the faulty ones returned to the cooperative. There had been in an issue with filtered water not smelling and tasting as it ought to, due to the kind of outlet used in constructing filters. These particular tubings, which had been purchased together, had a rather pungent smell of petrol for some reason.  As a consequence of this, when the filters within which they were fitted were operated, the water produced held a ghastly odour too. 

The team performed 21 house calls and follow-up visits in total. A portion of these were naturally for the purpose of installing filters whilst the rest, were to ensure that existing and recently set-up filters were being operated and maintained correctly. During the course of these appointments, the team reiterate the importance of maintaining exacting standards of cleanliness, good hygiene and sanitation. Emphasis was placed especially on using clean water for every day needs; washing ones hands with soap after using the loo; protecting water sources; situating pit latrines at a distance from cooking and washing areas; making sure that these facilities are covered and can be closed and that compost and household waste are kept and disposed of in a sanitary fashion. The outreach team additionally took note of certain matters such as whether filters were located in a suitable location sheltered from the elements and animals; the flow rate was adequate; the filtered water had a strange taste or odour and that the outlet tube and its spout were clean. The team enquired as well, how often filters were being used. Owners were also urged to ensure that filtered water is stored in a clean container which has a lid. They were further instructed to see to it that the filter is cleaned regularly. The visits doubled as opportunities for users to seek clarifications and advice as and when needed. The team was largely satisfied that filter owners understood the instructions they were given. Filters were well taken care of for the most part and users demonstrated a firm determination, to improve on their hygiene and sanitation practices.

This past month, the outreach team was also able to secure, a slot for a talk at the Nyangungu Quaker Church. Situated at about 5 kilometres from Mutaho, the team’s presentation coincided with the Nyangungu Women’s Quarterly meeting. Present, were mostly mothers hailing from Mutaho, Karuzi (almost an hour away by motorbike), Ngozi (42 km away), Kayanza (2 hours away by bus) and Muramvya (1 hour away by motorbike). Altogether there were over a 100 women in attendance.  In spite of the long distance between the Meeting and their homes, the vast majority of the attendees, walked to the venue.  They comprised predominantly of smallholder farmers and a few state employees and civil servants.  

As this was a women’s only gathering, the outreach team felt it best that Céline should be the one to dispense the teachings on clean water and good hygiene and sanitation. The talk was a mixture of instructions, lectures, questions and answers and exchanges on matters concerning this subject area. The participants were quick to admit to themselves, that they had been drinking contaminated water for the better part of their lives. For some, those who live outside of Mutaho in particular, the concept of water filters was a new one entirely. Attentive in their listening and meticulous in their learning, the Friends were most appreciative to have received this session. For many, this had been a long time coming. Céline recorded the accounts given by two of the women who were there.

Ann, a married woman and mother of one, spoke of how she once saw a live worm wiggling about in boiled water. When she called for assistance, she was told that there are in fact living organisms which do not succumb to intense heat. She was also described how a threadlike worm, half a meter in size, was once found in water and upon being removed and left out in the open for 30 minutes, it did not die of its own accord until a blunt object was used and it met its end. It was then that Ann first understood just how vital it is, to have a filter in one’s home.

Pastor Sarah, the Meeting’s Clerk, told the assembled a story which has really marked her.  She knew of a man who had required a surgical procedure, as a result of having ingested the egg of a parasitic crustacean which had matured in his internal organs. The doctors established that the only way the parasite could have found its way in the patient, was through drinking water containing the offending invader. For Sarah, it was clear that had said water been filtered first, the creature would not have wreaked such havoc.

The gathering of Quakers was positively flabbergasted upon hearing these tales and others. Firm commitment to make long lasting changes was widely expressed. They did however also declare 70,000 BIF, to be well beyond what they can afford, under their current occupations. The team was delighted with the proceedings of this session. The women exhibited a genuine interest in what they were being taught and were quite resolute, in their renewed approach to cleanliness and sanitation. As there were still many questions being asked by the time the lesson drew to a close, Céline suggested the women dropped by the filter construction site. As well as requests for further teachings, the team was asked for a biosand water filter program to be launched in their own communities. 

Still in October, the filter construction site received a visit from Year 3 pupils from the Ecole Primaire de Mutaho І. The appointment had been instigated by a teacher at said school, who owned a filter himself. He had not been fully satisfied with the curriculum teachings on filtering water, using clay pot filters’ drawings. He thus got in touch with the outreach team to arrange this visit. So, 60 plus children, between the ages of 10 and 15 years old, came by the site accompanied by their instructor. The team was in agreement that there was not better way of comprehending how a biosand filter functions, than by seeing the process that goes into making one and witnessing it being used.

The class arrived to find the team and cooperative members washing sand and gravel destined for installation. Pie, Céline and Louis proceeded to explain and illustrate how a biosand filter is made and operates. They followed this with an educational talk, on the importance of using clean water for daily needs and the importance of exercising good hygiene and sanitation practices. The pupils rather enjoyed the talk and asked a lot of questions. As it turns out, most of them already held some notions on cleanliness but had not always been able to apply them because their families hardly knew anything about them. They were also particularly taken and impressed with the small stones and gravel used in filtering water. It was amazing to them, that rock found in Mutaho could play such a crucial role. Some even decided to take a couple away with them, to show their peers.

The team was very happy with how this visit went. They were left in no doubt that the children understood what was conveyed to them. The trio was also certain, that the children would spread the word about what they had learned, to their dearest and closest. They encouraged them to urge their parents, to come by the filter construction site too, so that they too can learn about filters and their importance. As year two of this program dawns, the team is most eager to go about visiting schools and do awareness raising on an even broader scale.

Challenges

As stated above, Pie, Céline and Louis did face a couple of issues in the execution of their activities. It did not escape notice that in spite of their best intentions, certain households are simply not in a position to afford to maintain a certain measure of cleanliness. For some families, adapting their pit latrines as suggested by the team is not within their means. Buying wood and paying labour to cover the latrine and make a door to close it would be tantamount to making a huge financial sacrifice.

Money remains a problem when it comes to procuring filters too.  Time and time again, the cooperative and the outreach team have been told that 70,000 BIF is too expensive for a filter, even if owning of is an absolute must.

The team does not feel that it is out of the woods yet, where the defective smelly filters are concerned. Thus far, only three have been returned but it is anticipated that a few more will be brought back. This evidently means that filters which could have been sold are being traded in and resources and materials wasted in the process. The good thing though, is that the team and HROC are now well aware of which brand of pipes to not buy hence forth.

In its consultative capacity, HROC was quick to advise the team to take swift action in replacing these filters to avoid bad publicity, which could certainly hinder the good work of the cooperative.

Testimonies

Pasteur Gérard Ntirazana and his wife Léocadie Bakundukize Gitaramuka, Ruhororo.

My family is very pleased and grateful, to have been able to acquire a biosand water filter.  Now we only drink clean water.  Our filter functions perfectly and we use it every day. We are now in good health too. We are very thankful for the person who made it possible, for us to be thus blessed. May God bless them in abundance and watch over them.  We also thank those who have been teaching us, how to maintain our filters properly.

Marie Groria Ndacayisaba Gitondo, Mutaho

My biosand water filter has been invaluable to me.  Prior to owning one, I used to drink contaminated water without even being aware of it. It was only when I started filtering water that I realized just how dirty it was. I was able for the first time, to see the grime it contained by looking at the diffuser. I had always assumed the water I drunk to be clean, because I drew it from a tap. My neighbours have since started dropping by mine regularly to filter their water. This brings me much happiness. I hope you will keep up the good work, so that many others will rip the benefits of using a filter too.

Sicaire Wakana Bigera, Mutaho

I wish to start by thanking HROC, for having made it possible for us to get hold of a filter. My family and I are now always drinking filtered water. We drink it without fear because we know from the teachings we have received, that such water is in fact clean and free of parasites and dirt. We trust ourselves to no longer be susceptible to catching waterborne illnesses and sicknesses, which are associated with poor hygiene and sanitation. We are certain of this as we now know that in addition to using clean water to drink, we should use it for the washing up, the laundry, to cook and to bathe ourselves. We have also learned that we are to keep our pit latrines covered and see to it, that they can be closed.

Jonas Ntahompagaze Bigera, Mutaho

Since there has been a water filter in my house, my family and I have not fallen prey to diseases linked to bad hygiene and sanitation. I myself, a mother, used to be the frequent subject of recurring onslaughts of stomach cramps and pains. This is no longer the case. The children used to have to boil water before going to school, because they were afraid they would get sick from drinking water they would find on their way. Everyone in the family is delighted, now that we have our own filter. Our neighbours have started drinking filtered water too and cannot fathom drinking any other. They bring their water to be filtered at ours whenever they need to. As there is biosand filter right next to our cafeteria in the Mutaho market, we prefer to offer our clients filtered water too. We have been taught that filtered water is not to be drunk only. We are to also use it to shower, to do our washing up, our laundry and to feed our livestock. We are thankful for the outreach team, for checking up on us and making sure that we have understood how to use and maintain our filters.

Mariya Sabimenshi Masango, Mutaho

Although I am not particularly old, I will admit that I have seen something, which I had not known existed. A filter was brought into my home and installed in a way that I cannot comprehend. What is certain though, is that the water springing from this device is quite possibly the most refreshing I have ever had. I would like to thank HROC for its endeavours to have our country men and women, no longer feel compelled to drink dirty and infected water. As you know, the repercussions of consuming and using such water are great indeed.  Even though I am but a man of limited means, I shall do my utmost best to pay for the filter as agreed.

Edith Kaze, Development Program Officer

HROC - BURUNDI